New genetic mechanisms linking flowering, growth habit and yield in legumes. This project aims to investigate the genetic control of flowering and flowering-related traits in legumes, an important group of crop plants. The regulation of flowering by environmental factors has a major influence on plant yield and is important for adaptation in natural and agricultural settings. However, it is poorly understood at the molecular level. This project aims to use induced genetic variation and transcrip ....New genetic mechanisms linking flowering, growth habit and yield in legumes. This project aims to investigate the genetic control of flowering and flowering-related traits in legumes, an important group of crop plants. The regulation of flowering by environmental factors has a major influence on plant yield and is important for adaptation in natural and agricultural settings. However, it is poorly understood at the molecular level. This project aims to use induced genetic variation and transcriptome analysis to define new genes and genetic mechanisms through which flowering is regulated by day length and temperature, and to explore the molecular links between flowering and other developmental processes including seed development. This should extend our understanding of how plant architecture, reproduction and yield are regulated by the environment, and address several agronomic issues.Read moreRead less
Genetic control of flowering and photoperiodism in pea. The timing of flowering in many plant species is strongly influenced by photoperiod. The mechanisms by which photoperiod controls flowering will be investigated using the garden pea as a model system. New pea mutants impairing photoperiod responses will be identified and characterized, and photoperiod response genes from Arabidopsis will be mapped and used for expression studies in pea. This work will provide important new information about ....Genetic control of flowering and photoperiodism in pea. The timing of flowering in many plant species is strongly influenced by photoperiod. The mechanisms by which photoperiod controls flowering will be investigated using the garden pea as a model system. New pea mutants impairing photoperiod responses will be identified and characterized, and photoperiod response genes from Arabidopsis will be mapped and used for expression studies in pea. This work will provide important new information about the physiological roles of the Arabidopsis genes and the molecular identity of the pea genes. It will add to our knowledge of how flowering is regulated, and this will have important agronomic applications.Read moreRead less
Comparative genetics of flowering and photoperiod responsiveness in legumes. The results from this project will add to our basic knowledge of the way in which environmental factors influence flowering in plants. The timing and duration of flowering is a critical determinant of yield for many crop species, and of market value for many ornamental species. A better understanding of the basic genetics and physiology of flowering will thus be relevant for plant breeders and horticulturalists seeking ....Comparative genetics of flowering and photoperiod responsiveness in legumes. The results from this project will add to our basic knowledge of the way in which environmental factors influence flowering in plants. The timing and duration of flowering is a critical determinant of yield for many crop species, and of market value for many ornamental species. A better understanding of the basic genetics and physiology of flowering will thus be relevant for plant breeders and horticulturalists seeking to modify flowering responses to suit particular production strategies, and will help to maintain the strong position of Australia as a world leader in applied aspects of plant/environment interactions. It will also strengthen the international reputation of Australia for high-quality basic research in plant development.Read moreRead less
Mobile signals and the environmental control of flowering - a comparative genetic analysis. The results from this project will add to our basic knowledge of the way in which environmental factors influence flowering in plants. The timing and duration of flowering is a critical determinant of yield for many crop species, and of market value for many ornamental species. A better understanding of the basic genetics and physiology of flowering will thus be relevant for plant breeders and horticultu ....Mobile signals and the environmental control of flowering - a comparative genetic analysis. The results from this project will add to our basic knowledge of the way in which environmental factors influence flowering in plants. The timing and duration of flowering is a critical determinant of yield for many crop species, and of market value for many ornamental species. A better understanding of the basic genetics and physiology of flowering will thus be relevant for plant breeders and horticulturalists seeking to modify flowering responses to suit particular production strategies, and will help to maintain the strong position of Australia as a world leader in applied aspects of plant/environment interactions. It will also strengthen the international reputation of Australia for high-quality basic research in plant development .Read moreRead less
Genetics, genomics and evolution of flowering time control in legumes. Flowering in plants is strongly regulated by environmental factors, with important consequences for their natural distribution and use in agriculture. This project will characterise genes, genetic diversity and molecular mechanisms that control flowering in legumes, contributing to fundamental biology, crop improvement and research training.
Decoding the signals in legume symbioses: investigating the role of plant hormones. Plants form intimate relationships with soil microbes that give plants access to previously unavailable but essential nutrients. Legumes are major Australian crops for fodder, grain and nutrients, and are unique in forming symbioses with both nitrogen-fixing bacteria and with mycorrhizal fungi that supply nutrients such as phosphate. This project aims to determine the role of plant hormones (small, mobile, potent ....Decoding the signals in legume symbioses: investigating the role of plant hormones. Plants form intimate relationships with soil microbes that give plants access to previously unavailable but essential nutrients. Legumes are major Australian crops for fodder, grain and nutrients, and are unique in forming symbioses with both nitrogen-fixing bacteria and with mycorrhizal fungi that supply nutrients such as phosphate. This project aims to determine the role of plant hormones (small, mobile, potent growth regulators) in the formation of these relationships. In particular, the role of interactions between hormones and other novel plant signals will be determined. An insight into the common and divergent roles of hormones in these symbioses is essential to provide new tools to maximise nutrient acquisition.Read moreRead less
Molecular pathways controlling light-regulated development in legumes. Legumes are widely grown as forage and grain crops and make a substantial contribution to the Australian economy. Light is an important determinant of plant architecture and productivity and we need to know more about how development is regulated by light in this important plant group. The natural light environment faced by plants is complex and varies with crop density, season and time of day. Understanding the interaction o ....Molecular pathways controlling light-regulated development in legumes. Legumes are widely grown as forage and grain crops and make a substantial contribution to the Australian economy. Light is an important determinant of plant architecture and productivity and we need to know more about how development is regulated by light in this important plant group. The natural light environment faced by plants is complex and varies with crop density, season and time of day. Understanding the interaction of photoreceptors and plant hormones in the control of growth is vital for manipulating crops to meet changing agronomic requirements. Training of students in state-of-the art techniques and the generation of new germplasm for use by other researchers and plant breeders will be other significant outcomes of the project.Read moreRead less
Unique plant hormone responses: the key to nitrogen-fixing nodules. This project aims to build a model of the signals that regulate root nodule formation, unique root organs formed by some plants that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Nitrogen is often limited in the soil and agriculture relies on nitrogen fertiliser. Sustainable sources of plant nutrients are required to ensure food security and minimise the environmental impact of intensive farming. This project will provide fundamental informati ....Unique plant hormone responses: the key to nitrogen-fixing nodules. This project aims to build a model of the signals that regulate root nodule formation, unique root organs formed by some plants that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Nitrogen is often limited in the soil and agriculture relies on nitrogen fertiliser. Sustainable sources of plant nutrients are required to ensure food security and minimise the environmental impact of intensive farming. This project will provide fundamental information on why some species can form nitrogen-fixing nodules by examining the role of plant hormones. This will build the knowledge base required to potentially expand this symbiosis into non-legumes, harnessing the huge advantage nodule forming species have in staple crops.Read moreRead less
The role of plant hormones in legume symbioses. Soil microbes can give plants access to previously unavailable but essential nutrients through symbioses. Legumes are unique as they form symbioses with both nitrogen-fixing bacteria and with mycorrhizal fungi that supply nutrients such as phosphate. This proposal will investigate the role of the plant hormones (small, mobile, potent growth regulators) in the formation of these symbiotic relationships across legume genera. An insight into the commo ....The role of plant hormones in legume symbioses. Soil microbes can give plants access to previously unavailable but essential nutrients through symbioses. Legumes are unique as they form symbioses with both nitrogen-fixing bacteria and with mycorrhizal fungi that supply nutrients such as phosphate. This proposal will investigate the role of the plant hormones (small, mobile, potent growth regulators) in the formation of these symbiotic relationships across legume genera. An insight into the common and divergent roles of hormones in these symbioses is essential to provide researchers and breeders with new tools to maximise nutrient acquisition by legumes, important crops contributing an estimated one billion Australian dollars per year to the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Climate change and ocean acidification: will southern ocean coccolithophorids be winners or losers? Implications for the global carbon pump. This proposal brings skills on morphotaxonomy, microalgal culturing, physiology and biogeochemistry into the flurry of international activity focusing on consequences of ocean acidification. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is predicted to reduce calcification in the phytoplankton Emiliania huxleyi, notably in the Southern Ocean. In contrast, hi ....Climate change and ocean acidification: will southern ocean coccolithophorids be winners or losers? Implications for the global carbon pump. This proposal brings skills on morphotaxonomy, microalgal culturing, physiology and biogeochemistry into the flurry of international activity focusing on consequences of ocean acidification. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is predicted to reduce calcification in the phytoplankton Emiliania huxleyi, notably in the Southern Ocean. In contrast, higher CO2 may stimulate photosynthesis and enhanced stratification may also select for E. huxleyi. These changes will affect foodwebs and the ability of the ocean to absorb CO2. Predicting the future success of this key organism is vital to understand the consequences of global change in Australian and Southern Ocean waters and to set targets for carbon emissions.Read moreRead less